Imagine the incredible results you’d have if you and your team really focused on a consistent basis.
You’d likely…
- contribute more
- waste less time ramping back up
- serve customers better (internally and externally)
- find more customers
- come up with more ideas
- plan better
- be less frustrated and stressed
- help others focus more (by interrupting them less)
- make more money (for everyone… including you)
Nothing’s guaranteed, of course. But it’s a better bet. (And in the long run, you’ll enjoy more.)
If you like these ideas, you might also like the author’s message on commitment called Cross The Line. Use this link to watch the quick little video.
____________________
4 ways to knock out the bulk of distractions
- Establish focus hours with your team (or company-wide) – chunks of time each day where everyone will allow everyone else to focus (that includes you). No inter-office communications unless it truly can’t wait. At JustSell, ours are from 9 am – 11 am and 2 pm – 4 pm (4 total hours a day). You’ll make mistakes occasionally and break focus hours but with commitment and reinforcement, everyone will benefit. If you’re really SalesTough (see below if you don’t know what this is) in order to minimize outside distractions, let your family and friends know your focus hours (and turn off your cell).
- Turn off email alerts and commit to checking it at the most minimal level you feel is possible for your particular sales world without having a negative impact on service. If you’re SalesTough, most of your inbound emails are probably important but still don’t need attention for at least an hour (if not longer). Be truthful with yourself and set your interval so everyone wins. If you can set only two or three specific times a day to respond to email, do it. (See below for what we learned by checking it only 3 times a day.) Consider having an auto-responder that let’s people know when you address your email (e.g., "Thanks for your note. I usually check my email three times daily (8:30 am, 11:30 am, 4:30 pm). If you need me immediately, please call my cell/ assistant/ office line.)."
- Turn off instant messaging services unless your work absolutely requires it to get the job done. Having to phone someone or talk with them live (by visiting them) will make you more aware and respectful of someone else’s time (and yours).
- Avoid the web during money hours unless you absolutely need it for your work. The distractions are endlessly wonderful for those who’d prefer to avoid making things happen (which of course, isn’t your goal). If you must open a browser during the money hours (or focus hours), make sure your home page is something that doesn’t have the potential to encourage you down destruction distraction road (e.g., news or email sites, personalized pages, etc.). Search and discover outside your money hours or at lunch.
1 more…
If you’re in an office setting that allows you to face away from distraction (the door or other people – not customers, of course), do it.
Managers: Depending on your team, some or all of these ideas might not go over well (we know firsthand). Involving people in a discussion, asking them for ideas on how to improve internal focus and minimize distractions, might be a good first step. Also, consistently helping people remember the purpose behind what it is you do for customers can help gain commitment to your reasons for focusing. If you’re looking for a way to encourage people to push it, take a look at 212.
Questions? Email Sam Parker.
Learn what being SalesTough is. (Why would you want to be anything else?)
See what we learned by checking email only 3 times daily.
More on this topic from others (great stuff)…
The Web Shatters Focus, Rewires Brains by Nicholas Carr (Wired Magazine) – This one inspired us to start migrating our links out of our posts, so you can focus.
Solitude and Leadership by William Deresiewicz (The American Scholar) – This one makes us want to be smarter people.
If you like these ideas, you might also like the author’s message on commitment called Cross The Line. Use this link to watch the quick little video.
__________
Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…
Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter
Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of JustSell.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).
Ben says:
Excellent quote on “diggin-deep”. Fantastic personable touch through Kayla’s observation.
17 August 2011
Justin says:
I really like this article, especially from the technical standpoint of getting rid of distractions.
I would like to point out however that if people don’t have buy in and passion for what they are doing, then they will find ways to be distracted! Just cutting back on email time or blocking internet site access is not going to get people to work harder, even though technically there would be less distractions.
So, get people to buy in and be passionate about there work, THEN make suggestions about increasing focus, and everyone will be the better.
12 August 2011
Stanley J. Reynolds says:
Good Job!
FOCUS is utilizing our mental energy on the task at hand.
The produces results. If we measure our progress based on results then Focus should be high on our priority list.
Good luck guys.
12 August 2011
SlaboMeat says:
I am a sales guy and was just distracted by this email/article.
12 August 2011
Vinny says:
Focus is everything… If you have a direction and some focus you are moving forward.
12 August 2011
IntelliSites Web Design says:
Great tips! The internet is full of distractions (email, instant messaging, etc) and while they can’t be completely avoided, “focus hours” seem like a great way to manage this.
23 May 2011
Einar says:
Great article.
I have made up a rule for myself where I focus entirely on talking face to face with clients until luchtime every day. Emails, papers, Facebook etc. have to wait. This makes sure that I always starts the day 100% focused.
Einar Wus
http://sales-techniques.net
14 May 2011
Christian economics says:
Superb! Being organised certainly helps me focus.I stick to my calendar like glue and perform one job at a time.
11 May 2011
Susan Orchard says:
Excellent article. I’ve been a follower of “the money hours” for years! Another use for my timer is to eliiminate procrastination. When faced with a task I just don’t want to do or feel like doing, I’ll set the timer for 15 minutes and dig in. By the time the bell rings, the task is complete and I can move on with my day.
13 April 2011
The Sales Appointment says:
This article is great! I am linking it up for my readers to read!
http://thesalesappointment.com/
14 February 2011
Tips « The Sales Appointment says:
[...] JUSTSELL has a great article wrtitten by Sam Parker, titled HOW TO FOCUS. [...]
13 February 2011
Barry - smashsales.com says:
Great post!
We operate what we call ‘core selling time’ (10-12 and 2-4)…. As well as allowing our sales team to concentrate and focus, it is also the best time of the working day (in our industry at least) to catch clients at their desk.
Barry
http://www.smashsales.com
25 January 2011
Scott says:
Great tips on avoiding the distractions our world provides to truly focus on growing the business. Your focus time blocks really work. My wife is a writer and when she is writing her novels, she constantly uses defined focus time to get her work done.
6 January 2011
Sam Parker says:
I like that one, Enrique. Simple and effective.
13 November 2010
Enrique Rangel says:
I own a company called http://www.localcatering.com and I found that to get my staff focused on their tasks, I ask them to write down 5 things the day before that will be accomplished the following day.
Some days I ask for them to submit them the day before but having a list to look at in the morning really gets them focused.
13 November 2010
Sam Parker says:
Thanks, Kassim.
28 October 2010
Kassim Kutty says:
Great guidlines
27 October 2010
Dan Taylor says:
I’ve been using the Pomodoro Technique since the beginning of this year, and it’s done wonders for my productivity and focus. Give it a Google, and give it a go for a month – you won’t regret it!
11 October 2010
Alex Leonov says:
Focusing, something I rarely do… Need to repack my schedule! Simple but great post!
31 August 2010
rob says:
i actually just bookmarked this site as my home page (rather than my igoogle home page).
29 July 2010
Sandy Barris says:
33:33
Thrity Three Minutes and thirty Three Seconds.
That’s the magic number I use when I need to focus.
I’d love to tell you that it was my idea, but it comes for the late Eugene Schwartz, one of the worlds greatest copywriters who admits he never had a creative block using this technique.
So, try setting your timer for 33:33, hit go and your must not move away from what you have to do. During that time, you fully concentrate on the task at hand and would not get up from his desk or allow yourself to be distracted by anything.
But the minute the timer went off, no matter what you are doing or how deeply engrossed you are, get up from the desk, walk away and take a break. Take a 5 minute break. Get up, walk around, open mail, whatever. You’ll be giving your brain time to stew what you just did. Bringing new idea up and soon, task complete.
That is the secret of getting things done. Totally focused on the task at hand for 33 minutes and 33 seconds… and no longer.. do what has to be done in short bursts.
Granted, it does take some planning and that’s where http://www.FastMarketingPlan.com shines. Plus it’s a great planning tool for sales too.
After all sales and marketing go hand in hand, right?
Sandy Barris
7 July 2010
Matt says:
What do you do about indirect office distractions? Other coworkers talking near you, laughing, doing other things that could be considered bothersome and not work appropriate. They may not be distracting me directly, but they are things that make it hard for me to focus.
7 June 2010
Dan says:
Regarding the comments on using a timer …
… see “The Pomodoro Technique(TM)” at http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
7 June 2010
212Sales » Blog Archive » How to Focus says:
[...] Courtesy of JustSell.com [...]
3 June 2010
How to Focus « says:
[...] Courtesy of JustSell.com [...]
3 June 2010
Tania says:
I’ve found a great way to concentrate is to work in “bursts”. Decide the task(s), allocate say 1 hour and set a timer (on your pc, phone, or watch). Then get your head down for 60 minutes concentrated effort. At the end of that time reward yourself with a coffee and short break and then move on the next “burst”…–CheersMarkRealLifeSelling
+1
25 May 2010
Eric Pinola says:
The blank homepage is a great idea; the negative “news” always grabs for your attention. It should, their sales people are busy writing headlines that should grab / sell you.
EP
10 May 2010
Rhino Runner says:
All of these pointers can be summed up in one sentence…
“Get off your stupid phone and get to work”
B2B sales distraction maximum – IPhone/Blackberry/Whatever
14 April 2010
Jim Roach says:
Unless you are in an “Account Management” type roll that requires you to be instantly accessible, it is fair (and reasonable) to set the expectation with your prospect/client that you are not always 100% accessible, however you are 100% responsive.
Think of it as equal business stature – in prospect/client world if they respond to their clients in 24 hours they feel that is acceptable, so if you cut that time in half, you’re twice a quick as them! You are important and busy too…..
Turning off email, blackberries, etc. is vital during money time – unless you are truly that disciplined. Stay focused and cross things off the list.
29 March 2010
Daniel M. Wood says:
One of the largest problems companies have is that their employees don’t work at their maximum capacity. Often it isn’t because of under motivated employees but such useless things as to many interruptions in their work day.
I think the tips you provide in this article are great ways to increase the productivity of your company.
Thanks.
//Daniel M. Wood
19 March 2010
Mark Goodson says:
I’ve found a great way to concentrate is to work in “bursts”. Decide the task(s), allocate say 1 hour and set a timer (on your pc, phone, or watch). Then get your head down for 60 minutes concentrated effort. At the end of that time reward yourself with a coffee and short break and then move on the next “burst”…
–
Cheers
Mark
RealLifeSelling
3 March 2010
Brian Satterlee says:
Distractions abound in this technology age. It’s hard to ignore a ringing phone, email coming in a mile a minute, or text messages from the family. Sometimes you just have to put your head down, get stuff done, and leave the distractions for later. Nice article.
26 February 2010
Primo says:
Great idea!
10 February 2010
Mary says:
Awesome article!
5 February 2010
Roman says:
Indeed, focus Daniel son!!!>>>>>>>>:)
14 January 2010
Sam Parker says:
Thanks everyone!
29 December 2009
PATRICK SWAN says:
I’M BREAKING MY EMAIL RULE RIGHT NOW—-
GMAIL ALLOWS ME TO ORGANIZE MY TIME-AND IF I ADD IN BLACKBERRY BLACKOUTS I CAN CUT DOWN MY ‘NET’ TIME TO 30MIN BETWEEN8-6…
28 December 2009
Rebecca Schwartz says:
Great article; thank you!
28 December 2009
Lori Loberg says:
Regarding #4 above… To help avoid distractions when using the web, set your home page to BLANK. That way, when the browser opens, it doesn’t display a page full of content.
Here’s how to set it in Internet Explorer:
1. Tools > Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, delete whatever is in the Home Page box and then click the Use Blank button.
Firefox has a similar setting. Other browsers probably do as well.
28 December 2009
Sean Sheppard says:
Well done!
28 December 2009